Obituary of Kathryn Katy Alison Jessop TALLMAN

October 14, 1983 – Calgary, AB October 15, 2014 – Calgary, AB Kathryn Alison Jessop Tallman passed away peacefully on Wednesday October 15th, surrounded by her family. She leaves her loving husband, partner and best friend, Nathan, and her family, parents, Dale and Margaret Jessop, her siblings, Paul (& Teegan) Jessop, Fraser (& Kathleen) Jessop, Anna Jessop and her nephew, Harrison Jessop. She also leaves five grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, Nathan’s family, the Tallmans and Robsons, and, of course, her furry friends, Loki and Rukia. Katy was born in Calgary, growing up in Scarboro where she went to school at Sunalta, Bishop Pinkham and Western Canada. She was very involved in swimming, camping, Girl Guides and Church. She loved to do art and painted her room as a jungle. She ran the Youth Group at church, where she directed our large “Noah’s Ark” Mural and spent many summers at Naramata and Camp Kasota. “Squirrel” was one of the more beloved counselors, along with her siblings, “Dragonfly”, “Wombat” and “Chipmunk”. She loved going to Disneyland when she was 12 and her trip across Canada by train in 1989 and across North America in 2001 to visit extended family, especially seeing New York. She loved weekends at the cabin, especially swimming in the lake and diving off the dock. Trips to Vancouver Island to see cousins and siblings were very special to her. She moved to Lethbridge when she was seventeen to attend the University of Lethbridge where she took Fine Arts and Education. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life. She and Nathan hit it off instantly and have been together for the last twelve years. They bought a house in Lethbridge and had many roommates. Katy became a champion at Name That Tune and spent her days making art, eating sushi or Vietnamese and laughing with friends. She swam every day and in even competed in the Splash, Pedal, Gasp Triathlon at U of L. Meanwhile, Katy started lifeguarding at the Lethbridge pools. That led to teaching water safety, Aquasize, and Learn To Swim. She had a special passion for working with seniors and babies. Soon she was the Pool Director – managing pools and training lifeguards. She made lots of close friends, who supported her throughout her battle with cancer. Katy and Nathan were married at Scarboro United in Calgary in June 2009. They went on a short honeymoon to Banff (later to Mexico). Katy and Nathan bought a house in Calgary where Nathan was working and Katy got a job at Intact Insurance as a dispatcher. She continued to work at Rec Excellence in Lethbridge, teaching water safety instructors and lifeguards. She made a wish list. Katy continued to teach at Rec Ex and also did some travelling. She went to Mexico with Nathan, Cuba with the Robson’s, Costa Rica with Aubrey. In May, Katy, Anna, Dale & Margaret went off on a European holiday starting in Paris and ending in Barcelona, two of Katy’s must-sees. She went to Las Vegas with Shannon, and back to Hornby Island with Natalie. In September, Katy, Nathan, Margaret & Dale flew to Hawaii for a cruise from Honolulu, through to Tahiti and New Zealand to Sydney, Australia. She returned on her 30th birthday where we had a swinging superhero roller skating party. Katy went to Maui with Margaret, Dale, cousin Hailey and Aubrey. Her last trip was a week at the Windermere cabin with Nathan. She got cancer in July 2009, endured two major operations and many months of chemotherapy. We would like to thank all those who helped her at Lethbridge Cancer Centre, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Foothills Hospital, Dr.Roth, Dr. Schwarma,and Agape Hospice. For the last two years, Katy and her team “Chemosabes”, participated in the Underwear Affair for “below the belt” cancers. She was always a child at heart, always dancing, smiling, singing, and joking. She loved children, and loved being with them. If a child came to visit her, she would bring out the children’s books, her toys and songs and her fabulous collection of puppets. She was a doting aunt to Harrison, and a cherished surrogate aunt to many. Katy’s final wishes to you: Give blood, Give to the food bank, Use good grammar, and Learn to swim. We will celebrate Katy’s life at Scarboro United Church (134 Scarboro Avenue S.W.) on Thursday, October 23 at 2:00 pm. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Katy Tallman, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296. To view the service of Kathryn Tallman no password is required, please proceed by clicking the Blue Button “View Service”. Thank you.